Ties of Trade

Supplementary patterns such as these are heirlooms handed down from grandmother to her granddaughter when she marries so that the traditional patterns will continue. This pattern is called Patola ratu is a motif that was inspired by the patola textiles that were traded from India in the 16th century. It is a symbol of power. This cloth would traditionally worn over the shoulder by a Sumbanese woman during ceremony. The images included are examples of this supplementary technique called pahikung that weavers in Sumba like this young woman are weaving. Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth. Floating warp patterning, single panel, twisted fringe, commercial cotton and natural dyes. Dyed and woven in East Sumba, 2023. Size 178 x 53 cm / 70 x 21 in